Funding Opportunities for African Businesses

1. Gamma Mu Foundation Grant Program to create Positive differences in the Lives of the LGBT Community

Deadline: 31-Mar-23

The Gamma Mu Foundation is seeking applications for its grant program to create positive differences in the lives of the LGBT community.

They focus primarily in rural and other under-served populations of the United States. The Foundation envisions a society that promotes individual and overall LGBT community acceptance, inclusivity, health, and pride for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or individuality.

Priority Focus Area for 2023 Grant Year:  HIV/STD education, prevention, and treatment for the LGBTQ community.  Applications with other areas of focus will be considered after those with the priority focus are evaluated.

Goals

• The Foundation allocates resources in support of the following major goals:

• • ensuring the ongoing support of LGBTQ health and social service organizations;

• • enhancing the community through support of projects identifying the Foundation as a source of support for the LGBTQ community;

• • increasing the grantee’s organizational capacity and resources to assure continued program viability after Foundation support terminates; and

• • giving priority consideration to proposals that provide services in rural and/or underserved communities.

Program Areas

• Grants are awarded in the following program areas:

• • HIV/AIDS Services: These are services and programs benefiting individuals, caregivers, and families directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. It also includes HIV prevention and education programs.

• • Community Services: These are services and programs that support LGBTQ sub-populations, e.g., youth, seniors, victims of domestic abuse, etc.

• • Research and Public Education: These are services and programs aimed at helping to make the world a more hospitable place for people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• The Foundation’s objective is to award grants that are tied specifically to a new or ongoing project within the recipient organization.  The Foundation does not consider it a priority to provide awards for general operating funds regardless of the worthiness of the organization’s mission.

Evaluation Criteria

• Proposals are evaluated against the following criteria:

• • relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s funding policies and priorities (e.g., services provided to the LGBTQ community in rural and/or underserved communities);

• • importance of the need identified in the proposal as well as past and/or ongoing attempts to meet the need;

• • the potential benefit of the project;

• • the capability of the applicant organization and its staff as well as the adequacy of the projected activities, budget, and timetable to achieve the desired results;

• • the evidence of appropriate cooperation with other organizations working in the same field;

• • the likelihood of future support from other sources; and

• • the quality of the applicant’s plan for evaluating the results of the project outcomes.

Ineligible

• The Foundation will not accept proposals for the following purposes:

• • capital campaigns

• • physical facilities

• • endowment or annual fund drives

• • political or lobbying activities

• • religious activities

• • payroll except for salaries directly related to the project for which funding is being provided.

For more information, visit Gamma Mu Foundation Grant Program.

Also Read: Funding Opportunities For African Businesses

2. Call for Young Africans: Apply to the African Union COVID-19 Vaccination BINGWA Initiative

Deadline: 25-Feb-23

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced a call for applications for young Africans from the Southern and Western Africa regions who are motivated and willing to contribute to the acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination uptake in their countries, to apply for the African Union COVID-19 Vaccination BINGWA Initiative.

Three years ago on 14 February 2020 the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Africa. The African Union (AU) through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has taken unprecedented steps to support AU Member States efforts to fight COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022, the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) officially launched an African Union public-private-youth initiative co-led by Africa CDC under the name “African Union COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative” as part of the Africa CDC’s Programme of Saving Lives and Livelihoods. Bingwa is the Swahili word for “Champion”. The initiative seeks to establish a network of COVID-19 vaccination youth champions across the continent to accelerate the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Africa.

The selected BINGWAs (champions) are expected to perform the following duties for a period of up to 12 months:

• Develop a community engagement plan to mobilize their respective communities including friends and families to get vaccinated fully against COVID-19

• Support capacity building efforts to onboard social actors within the community to help mobilize for the COVID-19 vaccinations

• Organize innovative youth-focused events to mobilize young people and the broader community to take up the COVID-19 vaccines e.g. Campaigns, community mobilization, peer-to-peer advocacy, etc.

• Serve as AU/Africa CDC focal points for youth vaccination in their respective countries.

• Participate in the capacity building training organized by Africa CDC in preparation of their deployment to respective countries/communities.

• Document progress recorded in mobilizing their respective communities and the improvement in vaccination rates in their community.

What is included in the BINGWA Initiative?

• The BINGWA Initiative is a one-year initiative that will equip vaccinated youth champion across the African continent with technical skills to reach, mobilize and engage their communities and peers to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19. Selected BINGWAS will be supported by experienced experts in key public health, SBCC and community engagement fields from African union / Africa CDC and Partner organizations to enhance their skills in the following areas among others:

• • Understanding Africa CDC and the New Public Health Order for Africa

• • Understanding COVID 19 and COVID 19 Vaccination

• • Risk Communication, Community Engagement and influencing for COVID 19 vaccination

• • Social media Engagement and Mobilization for impact

• • Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and,

• • Planning, monitoring, evaluation and Reporting

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizen and resident of:

• • The Southern Africa Region. The following countries are part of the Southern Africa RCC region: Republic of Angola, Republic of Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Zambia and Republic of Zimbabwe.

• • Western Africa Region. The following countries are part of the Western Africa RCC region: Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Republic of Cabo Verde, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Gambia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Mali, Republic of Niger, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Sierra Leone and Togolese Republic.

• Aged between 18 – 35 years (must be under the age of 35 when completing the 12 Months service)

• Possess a post-secondary education (Bachelors and/or Master’s will be an added value)

• Available in 2022/23 to dedicate 12 (twelve) months as a BINGWA

• Committed to live and work in their country for the entire duration of deployment

• Proficient in the local language and at least one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish)

• Have at least 1-year verifiable community and/or youth engagement experience and 1-year professional work experience. (Experience in Public Health domain will be an added advantage)

• Must be fully vaccinated (Proof of vaccination is required)

• Proven ability to use a computer system and familiar with MS Office applications and social media tools/platforms

• All applications should confirm their availability to travel for the week of training.

• Note: Africa CDC welcomes applications from all qualified youth from the Southern Africa region regardless of their gender, race, disability, religious belief, caste, or marital status. Young women are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

3. 2023 The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme: 20 Fully-Funded Scholarships Available

Deadline: 30-Apr-23

The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact is pleased to announce its 2023 Global Fellowship Programme intake is open!

The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme is a six-month rigorous virtual leadership programme for exceptional leaders and founders of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises worldwide, especially those from low and middle-income countries.

Objectives of the Global Fellowship Programme

• To build the capacity of professionals from small and medium-sized Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Social Enterprises who are already in positions of leadership and influence to further enhance and expand their knowledge, skills, and expertise;

• To provide high-impact training, professional development, and cross-cultural opportunities for NGOs and Social Enterprises across the globe especially in low- and middle-income countries;

• To create a global community of leaders, influencers, and decision-makers, who are focused on designing and implementing high-impact programmes that contribute building a sustainable world.

What to Expect

• One-on-one online tailored mentorship and leadership coaching;

• Online masterclasses with highly skilled faculty;

• All access pass to The NGO Whisperer® Global Summit in 2023;

• Access to The NGO Whisperer® Global Community and alumni network.

• Feature on The NGO Whisperer® Magazine and Podcast.

For more information, visit The NGO Whisperer®.

4. Climate Fund: Call for Project Proposals 2023 in South Africa

 Deadline: 27-Feb-23

The German Embassy South Africa is accepting applications for Climate Fund to support projects in the areas of climate change mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity.

The focus lies on the Biodiversity and Climate Nexus:

• The biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis are closely interrelated. Changes in biodiversity, e.g. due to land use changes, deforestation, overexploitation of natural resources and pollution, have a negative impact on the climate system. At the same time, climate change has a negative impact on biodiversity: increased greenhouse gas emissions lead to rising average temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, more frequent extreme weather events, and to oxygen depletion and acidification of the oceans. The German Foreign Office’s Climate Fund aims at supporting projects which will:

• • contribute to awareness raising for climate change and biodiversity loss

• • encourage a transfer of information regarding climate and biodiversity politics and diplomacy (UNFCCC, UNCBD)

• • stimulate action oriented implementation at subnational and community level; motivate and involve all relevant actors and stakeholders.

Funding Information

• The financial scope of the projects should be between 10.000 € and 30.000 €.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Call invites submissions from both, private and public sector

• Non-governmental multipliers (economy, science, civil society)

• Applicants and implementing organisations must have a South African base and need to contribute financially or by in kind contribution/staff.

Applicants are expected to:

• complete the project within the year 2023

• define clear goals and deliverables that allow for monitoring and evaluation

• provide a detailed financial plan

• provide information on planned outreach activities and media coverage

For more information, visit Climate Fund.

5. Department of State’s ISN/ECC: Counter IED Work in Tanzania – Mozambique Border

 Deadline: 4-Mar-23

The Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Counter IED work in Tanzania – Mozambique Border.

The purpose of this award is to strengthen partner counter-IED capabilities to prevent malign actors from exploiting border weaknesses to their advantage.  The presidents of Tanzania and Mozambique recently signed a joint peace accord on security and defense, providing a new path for addressing operational and knowledge gaps along their shared border.

Under this NOFO, ISN/ECC seeks proposals to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities by supporting initiatives that make decision-making structures and processes in fragile, conflict, or crisis-affected contexts more reflective of and responsive to the needs and perspectives of partner states to ensure strategic trade control systems meet international standards and by engaging on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels with foreign governments to aid in the establishment of independent capabilities to regulate transfers of weapons of mass destruction, WMD-related items, conventional arms, and related dual-use items, and to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of such items.

Goals and Objectives

• ISN/ECC expects that the Activities and Outcomes of this Award will work towards the following ISN Goals and EXBS Program Objectives:

• • ISN Goals
    • Prevent and Respond to Proliferation of WMD, Missiles, and Destabilizing Conventional Weapons and Technologies
      • Strengthen Other States’ Capabilities to Counter Proliferation .

• • EXBS Objectives – Border Security Operations
    • Improve partner border security infrastructure
    • Improve partner WMD or CBRNE detection and response capacity.

Funding Information

• Award Ceiling: $493,827

• Award Floor: $493,827.

Deliverables/Activities

• Many East African officials have an incomplete capacity for IED mitigation and management, technical knowledge, and procedures. This not only includes the detection of IEDs, but also the movement of component parts at various points of entry. EXBS looks to address both with a sustainable and impactful counter-IED training program. This includes conducting land and maritime counter-IED investigations and interdiction operations in both Tanzania and Mozambique.

• • Attack the Network: The prospective grantee will leverage existing gap assessments to identify key components of the regional enemy network, such as identifying where, how, and with whom precursors and electronics move from marketplace to fabrication to installation.

• • Defeat the Device: The prospective grantee will develop and deliver trainings on how to mitigate and neutralize IEDs where they are implanted. The curriculum should include a basic understanding of counter-IED operational tactics and techniques such as route clearance, device neutralization, explosive detection and disposal, and vehicle and personnel protection.

• • Prepare the Force: The prospective grantee will develop and administer workshops for relevant security and border control officials to practice the skills taught during training.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be knowledgeable of existing strategic trade control programs and best practices, including programs funded by the U.S. Government in this area, and current international trends and developments, in order to capitalize on ongoing work, and not duplicate efforts.

• Applications by organizations, which do not meet the eligibility by the time of the application deadline, will result the application not being reviewed.

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• Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to educational and research institutions and U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, foreign educational and research institutions, Domestic & Foreign For-Profit Organizations (must waive fee/profit), and foreign not-for-profits/NGOs and international NGOs and PIOs.

• Domestic & Foreign For-Profit organizations are eligible to apply. For-profit organizations applying to this NOFO will agree to forgo their profit margins to be eligible for this competition.

• • Cost-Sharing or Matching: Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility requirement for this NOFO. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability purposes, you must maintain written records to support all costs that are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s Circular 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ISN/ECC’s contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

• • Other: Organizations should have existing, or the capacity to develop, requisite technical expertise, and partnerships with international entities and relevant stakeholders, including foreign government officials with broad expertise in strategic trade controls implementation. Organizations should endeavor to apply DEIA principles in their selection of partners and interpretation of stakeholders or target audience.

• Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant. Organizations should submit separate proposals for each line of effort/sub-section/project identified in the NOFO.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

6. Apply now to the Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy Fellowship – A Career Development Program

 Deadline: 12-Apr-23

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is currently accepting applications for its Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship, a career development program that targets mid-career African women in the policy field to catalyze the design and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural policies across Africa.

The Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship is a career development program that targets mid-career African women in the policy field to catalyze the design and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural policies across Africa.

An initiative of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the GRASP Fellowship is fostering policy change across institutions and national governance systems for women’s empowerment. Through the GRASP Fellowship, AWARD seeks to grow a pool of confident and capable African women to lead policy changes to improve African smallholders’ livelihoods.

The GRASP Fellowship will offer targeted leadership and mentoring training, catalytic funding, and access to networks to enable beneficiaries to lead policy-making processes for agricultural transformation in Africa. The non-residential Fellowship includes virtual and in-person activities spread over two years for each cohort.

Fellowship Priorities

• Catalyzing gender-responsive policies

• Fostering mentoring partnerships

• Building networks and communities of practice

• Incentivizing collaboration toward evidence-based policies

• Enhancing technical capabilities.

Fellowship Structure

• Immersive Training Courses

• Three-tier mentoring program

• Policy Innovation Projects.

Eligibility Criteria

• African women policy practitioners who are citizens of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal

• Applicants must have at least a master’s degree and 10 years of experience in gender, agriculture, and food systems, working on policy issues at national, regional, or continental levels

• Applicants must be affiliated with either government organizations, non-government, private sector, development, civil society, regional and sub-regional communities, or academia

Ideal AWARD Policy Fellows

• The Fellowship targets women policy practitioners who can meet a range of criteria. The ideal AWARD Policy Fellows will:

• • Explain the top policy challenges or questions they are working on

• • Show how they have played a leadership role in policy development and implementation, particularly in projects at the nexus of agricultural development, food systems, and gender equality

• • Clearly articulate what policy idea they will work on under the policy innovation projects.

Selection Process

• The AWARD Policy Fellows will be competitively identified through a rigorous selection process that will include assessing their experience and leadership potential in gender, agriculture, and food systems policy development.

• Potential AWARD Policy Fellows will respond to an open call for application that will require them to demonstrate their suitability for the Fellowship.

• A selection panel of global experts in the policy field,  food systems, and related fields will review the applications and select the successful applicants.

For more information, visit Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy.

7. Call for Proposals: Grassroots Innovators in the Zululand District (South Africa)

 Deadline: 31-Mar-23

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is calling for applications from grassroots innovators looking for funding, technical assistance and support for developing a new product or process up to prototype and proof of concept stage.

A grassroots innovator is defined as “an individual who undertakes innovations to solve local challenges using local resources and capabilities through working outside the realm of formal innovation institution”.

Fundable Activities

• Development and production of fully functional prototypes of product innovations responding to social challenges

• Skills training and business development incubation and mentorship

• Specialised equipment that is within the budget constraints and required to enable innovation activities

• Introduction of a proof of concept where a viable business case can be demonstrated

• Registration of new enterprises or attaining compliance of already registered enterprises

• Registration of intellectual property rights, copyright and trademark protection and licensing

• Personal and travelling stipend to the innovators in support of the development of their innovation

Non-Fundable Activities

• Staff salaries/stipends for additional team members

• Operational activities not related to innovation activities

• Acquiring of licenses to replicate external innovations

• Research projects

• Research institutions and organisations

• Student bursaries, research projects

• Infrastructure development

Eligibility Criteria

• South African citizens of any age (ID copy required)

• Individuals residing in the following local municipalities: eDumbe, uPhongolo, Abaqulusi, Nongoma and Ulundi (proof of residence required)

• Individual (or representing a team) with an innovative solution that solves a clear social problem

• Individuals must meet the criteria of a grassroots innovator

• Have full ownership of the Intellectual Property and rights to the proposed solution

• Applicants who do not have ready access to innovation development support, infrastructure, funding or training

• Is willing to commit time to the programme activities for a maximum period of 24 months

Minimum Requirements

• Requirements for Applications

• • The stage of development of the solution

• • Innovation in the use of technology and the quality of the solution to solving the problem

• • Technical and financial feasibility of developing the solution

• • Demonstration of clear social impact for a targeted market

• • Whether a vision for the commercialisation viability of the innovation has been articulated

• Support Package on Offer

• • Intellectual Property registration

• • Industry compliance and certification

• • Product and technical development expertise, design prototyping infrastructure & hard/software materials

• • Production of a prototype

• • Business development training and support

• • Networking, mentorship and market access activities

For more information, visit TIA.

8. Burundi: Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund Small Grants Program

 Deadline: 31-May-23

The U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, through its Political and Economic Office, announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that are community-initiated and involve schools, clinics, co-operatives, and/or associations.

The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small, community-based development projects.  This Self-Help fund provides small, short-term grants (one year) to community groups that are working to improve the basic economic and social conditions of their villages or communities.

The fund provides grants for activities such as construction of classrooms, construction of ventilated pit latrines, construction of community centers and health clinics, boreholes for access to clean water, school equipment and supplies, medical equipment, solar heating, and agricultural kits, among others listed in their guidelines.

Funding Information

• Applicants should not request more than $10,000 USD.  Please note that the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund is subject to the availability of funds.  Applicants should include an anticipated start date of September 2023 and the project period should be 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project must be initiated by the community and should benefit the community by increasing income or improving living or social conditions. If the project is designed to generate income, it must be truly community-based and not a for-profit enterprise or sole proprietorship, and the project must have a plan for equitable distribution of any income generated.

• Applicants must be a non-profit organization, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) registered with the Government of Burundi, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) that support community-based initiatives, or a community association formed at least one year before the date of application.

• The proposed project should be a single activity that helps to improve basic economic or social conditions at the community level.  Projects should be administered at the community level.

• The project should be sustainable and not require continued support after the one-time contribution from the Special Self-Help Program ends.

• Substantial community participation is required during the project.  There is a requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation (e.g., labor, materials, equipment, land, buildings, or funding) of 10%.

• Projects must be within the ability of the community to operate and maintain sustainably.

• All projects must be completed within one calendar year of the grant award date.

• The maximum grant submission allowed is $12,000 converted to Burundian francs at the prevailing exchange rate.

For more information, visit Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund Small Grants Program.

9. Women In Africa announces Women for Zero Hunger Program

 Deadline: 24-Feb-23

Women In Africa (WIA) has announced the applications for the Women for Zero Hunger Program.

Launched in 2016, Women In Africa (WIA) is the first international platform dedicated to the economic development and support of African women entrepreneurs. At WIA, they are convinced that Pan-African women contribute greatly, through their actions, to the change and impact they bring to the continent’s progress.

Aims

“Women for Zero Hunger” will enable 3 non-profit organizations:

• to be visible: to inspire, to be recognized and to have more impact;

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• to be mentored: to benefit from expert advice and personalized support;

• to be funded: each of the 3 associative structures will receive €5,000. At the end of the mentoring program, one of the three finalist structures will be chosen by the jury members on the basis of pre-established criteria and will receive an additional €5,000 in financial support. In addition, the representative will be invited to the annual Stop Hunger event in Paris to receive a trophy and benefit from a crowdfunding operation during the event.

Prize Details

• Each of the 3 non-profit organizations will receive €5,000. At the end of the mentoring period, one of the three finalist associations will be chosen by the jury members on the basis of pre-established criteria and will receive an additional €5,000 in financial support.

• In addition, the representative will be invited to the annual Stop Hunger evening in Paris to receive a trophy and benefit from a crowdfunding operation during the event.

• The 3 selected associations will take part in a 6-month-personalised-mentoring program run by Stop Hunger and Women In Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is accessible to existing associations for at least 3 years

• The association must be African or represented in an African country

• The association must work in one to several African Anglophone and/or Francophone countries

Selection Criteria

• Number of beneficiaries of the association

• Quality of the “solution”

• Scalability of the “solution”

• Beneficiaries: the solution must primarily benefit women or girls

Note! The association can be managed by either a man or a woman.

For more information, visit Women In Africa.